Can someone help me download from FOX ?

[TheRandomOne]

Basically looking to download from stuff like

http://www.fox.com/lethal-weapon/full-episodes

[jimdagys]

One way might be to try the free trial of this:
https://www.iskysoft.com/itube-studio-windows.html
which is called iskysoft itube studio.
I refuse to install commercial software on my own computer so I can't say if it works for FOX, but it did work for a Japanese website
(Asia Insight) that has interesting documentaries. I used public computer in that case.
Another way (completely free) is youtube-dl
I used this method and got a Fox video.
Fox video is this one:
http://www.fox.com/watch/804867139814/7833489408 (see address bar red circle on screenshot)
See second screenshot white circles. I have included the following text file that shows what I did. I am using the November 2016 version of youtube-dl which I uploaded a copy here:
http://files.videohelp.com/u/61125/youtube-dl.zip
Third screenshot red circle shows location of downloaded video. (note: if you click twice on the screenshots they will be very clear.)

The following is copied from Windows Command prompt (with some notes added after < symbol)

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\default>cd.. < These 3 lines (cd..) are one method to navigate to the youtube-dl software

C:\Documents and Settings>cd.. <which is in C:\

C:\>cd youtube-dl <part of hardrive (cd means change directory)

C:\youtube-dl>youtube-dl -F "http://www.fox.com/watch/804867139814/7833489408" <gets available formats
[FOX] 804867139814: Downloading webpage
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Downloading SMIL data
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Checking video URL
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Checking video URL
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Checking video URL
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Checking video URL
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Checking video URL
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Checking video URL
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Checking video URL
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Checking video URL
[ThePlatform] qxCtClgX6cyo: Downloading JSON metadata
[info] Available formats for 804867139814:
format code extension resolution note
http-280 mp4 400x226 280k
http-355 mp4 400x226 355k
http-430 mp4 480x270 430k
http-629 mp4 480x270 629k
http-929 mp4 640x360 929k < I chose this format which is SD (standard definition)
http-1430 mp4 1024x576 1430k
http-1930 mp4 1280x720 1930k
http-2630 mp4 1280x720 2630k (best)

C:\youtube-dl>youtube-dl.exe -f http-929 "http://www.fox.com/watch/804867139814/7833489408" < complete command

C:\youtube-dl>youtube-dl.exe -f http-929 "http://www.fox.com/watch/804867139814/" <also seems to work I don't know why

[TheRandomOne]

Youtube-DL opens & crashes

[TheRandomOne]

Youtube-dl crashes

[jimdagys]

Your mission (if you decide to accept it) is learn the 3-4 clicks to start the Windows command prompt on your computer.
Hint: Clicking on the youtube-dl software is NOT going to work. See screenshot. I suggest you Google "how to start Windows command prompt/window) for your particular version of Windows (xp, 7,8, 10 etc). After you successfully start the Windows command prompt, then you have to "navigate" to the youtube-dl software folder. If you look closely at my screenshots in above post #2, you can see how I did it. Unfortunately, it will probably be different for your computer. The Windows command prompt is about 35 years old and is not intuitive to use. But sometimes it is the best way to do something.

[TheRandomOne]

I know how to load Command Prompt & typing in what you did just says everything is not recognized

[jimdagys]

You're not "navigating" to the youtube-dl folder in the Windows command prompt. Not navigating properly will give an error message similar to the following screenshot. I can't tell you how to do it since your computer is different than mine.

[TheRandomOne]

Well thanks for trying guess its a lost cause until I can figure this out

[TheRandomOne]

I got it working thanks

[TheRandomOne]

It is now not downloading the newest episode for The Exorcist


http://www.fox.com/watch/812469315949

[CristianoA]

It is now not downloading the newest episode for The Exorcist


http://www.fox.com/watch/812469315949

http://link.theplatform.com/s/fox.com/in7UpinOy97Q?mbr=true&manifest=m3u&callback=jquery

adblock plus addon -> open blockable items --> search for theplatform.com

[TheRandomOne]

So how do I download that ?

[TheRandomOne]

I get this

http://link.theplatform.com/s/fox.com/in7UpinOy97Q?mbr=true&policy=63641552&assetType=...mats=MPEG4,FLV

[CristianoA]

I get this

http://link.theplatform.com/s/fox.com/in7UpinOy97Q?mbr=true&policy=63641552&assetType=...mats=MPEG4,FLV

http://link.theplatform.com/s/fox.com/in7UpinOy97Q?mbr=true&manifest=m3u&callback=jquery

<- just always change id for each video and click the link and copy the whole url and use livestreamer to download it

livestreamer "hls://fbchdvod-f.akamaihd.net/i/Fox.com/973/783/ExorcistThe_1AZP08_8125281959,62_mp4_video_1280x720_2500000_primary_audio_8,61_mp4_video_1280x720_1800000_primary_audio_7,60_mp4_video_1024x576_1300000_primary_audio_6,58_mp4_video_640x360_800000_primary_audio_5,57_mp4_video_480x270_500000_primary_audio_4,56_mp4_video_480x270_300000_primary_audio_3,66_mp4_video_400x0_225000_primary_audio_2,65_mp4_video_400x0_150000_primary_audio_1,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8?__b__=300&b=100-&hdnea=st=1479603513~exp=1479605943~acl=/i/Fox.com/973/783/ExorcistThe_1AZP08_8125281959*~id=b50924cf-4d54-4112-a7f7-9c5d87ff764e~hmac=f9764bdb215aa31086be5b366214917b7670f96a513a995868975870169d872e" best -o video2.ts

[TheRandomOne]

So where do we change the ID ? That was Episode 8 so can you show me where we would change for Episode 7 ?

[TheRandomOne]

& I tried LiveStreamer & its not working for me ?

[CristianoA]

& I tried LiveStreamer & its not working for me ?

you need to copy your own link from http://link.theplatform.com/s/fox.com/in7UpinOy97Q?mbr=true&manifest=m3u&callback=jquery to livestreamer command line

[TheRandomOne]

[cli][info] Found matching plugin stream for URL hls://fbchdvod-f.akamaihd.net/i/Fox.com/973/783/ExorcistThe_1AZP08_8125281959,62_mp4_video_1280x72 0_2500000_primary_audio_8,61_mp4_video_1280x720_18 00000_primary_audio_7,60_mp4_video_1024x576_130000 0_primary_audio_6,58_mp4_video_640x360_800000_prim ary_audio_5,57_mp4_video_480x270_500000_primary_au dio_4,56_mp4_video_480x270_300000_primary_audio_3, 66_mp4_video_400x0_225000_primary_audio_2,65_mp4_v ideo_400x0_150000_primary_audio_1,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8?__b__=300&amp;b=100-&amp;hdnea=st=1479603513~exp=1479605943~acl=/i/Fox.com/973/783/ExorcistThe_1AZP08_8125281959*~id=b50924cf-4d54-4112-a7f7-9c5d87ff764e~hmac=f9764bdb215aa31086be5b366214917b 7670f96a513a995868975870169d872e
[cli][info] Available streams: live (worst, best)
[cli][info] Opening stream: live (hls)
[cli][error] Could not open stream: Unable to open URL: http://fbchdvod-f.akamaihd.net/i/Fox.com/973/783/ExorcistThe_1AZP08_8125281959,62_mp4_...975870169d872e (403 Client Error: Forbidden)

[CristianoA]

So where do we change the ID ? That was Episode 8 so can you show me where we would change for Episode 7 ?

http://link.theplatform.com/s/fox.com/Jpzv_QqPb8xN?mbr=true&policy=63641552&assetType=SSL&player=foxcomcom-1.8.3&manifest=f4m&format=SMIL&Tracking=true&Embedded=true&formats=MPEG4,FLV

http://link.theplatform.com/s/fox.com/Jpzv_QqPb8xN?mbr=true&manifest=m3u&callback=jquery

[TheRandomOne]

Thanks but I will ask a friend to help or if you can do this step by step with numbers before each step because this is confusing & messy as is in here I basically need each step as noob friendly as possible

[remanyao]

@TheRandomOne

Do you want to live for free in life?
Get to work and pay for what you consume

[TheRandomOne]

I can handle m3u8 downloading thats easy but the FOX method & anyone else that uses it is more difficult

[TheRandomOne]

Okay I got the hang of how to download these but a question or two

A) How do we get the episode ID for new episodes ?

B) How exactly do we get to this page http://link.theplatform.com/s/fox.com/in7UpinOy97Q?mbr=true&manifest=m3u&callback=jquery so that we can get the m3u8 ?

[jimdagys]

TheRandomOne
I'm really confused about something. It seems I have no problem downloading the Exorcist using the exact method that I described at the beginning of this thread.
For example, I go to:
http://www.fox.com/the-exorcist/full-episodes
(see screenshot 1)
At the top of the page I see
Episode 8 Chapter 8 The Griefbearers
If I click on that, at the top of the new web page in the address bar it shows:
http://www.fox.com/watch/812469315949/7833689088
I put that url into youtube-dl and I get:
youtube-dl.exe -f http-280 "http://www.fox.com/watch/812469315949"
and this will download that show.
Likewise, if I scroll down on the webpage:
http://www.fox.com/the-exorcist/full-episodes
I see Episode 7 Chapter 7 Father of Lies
If I click on that, at the top of the new page in the address bar it shows:
http://www.fox.com/watch/806394948000/7833689088
Again, putting that into youtube-dl
youtube-dl.exe -f http-280 "http://www.fox.com/watch/806394948000"
and this will download the show.
See screenshot 2
If you want higher resolution, just substitute
630
or
2630
for the 280
Job done.
Typing in:
youtube-dl.exe -F "http://www.fox.com/watch/806394948000"
for a particular available show lists available resolutions.
See screenshot 3
I normally choose the smallest resolution which is shown to be 280

[TheRandomOne]

That works for the free episodes thanks but now I need the m3u8 for the episodes that require logins

http://www.fox.com/watch/814313027807 since not even youtube-dl can get the episodes that need log in & I can log in myself just need the m3u8

[jimdagys]

OK, I didn't realize this was some kind of premium service. I won't be able to duplicate your situation without the login credentials.
There is something about a "token" which I don't fully understand. My understanding is that a "token" will change every few minutes, so you need to get your own unique "token". With the correct "token" then I guess you will use that "token" to get something else ( a http or m3u8 maybe) to use in livestreamer. Would be nice if somebody with login credentials would post the 1,2,3 steps (with screenshots) of exactly how to do this. Those people without login credentials wouldn't be able to do it, but still the exact procedure would be valuable to learn and understand.

[Baldrick]

Please don't discuss premium services that requires login. Only stuff that everyone can see and download.

[ehurdler]

That works for the free episodes thanks but now I need the m3u8 for the episodes that require logins

http://www.fox.com/watch/814313027807 since not even youtube-dl can get the episodes that need log in & I can log in myself just need the m3u8

This process works for Free, not logged into a provider for FOX.

Similar to what CristianoA stated. However a slight change.

Go to and start the video in question. I took Star which premiered lastnight:

http://www.fox.com/watch/831570499842/7833754368

Now that the video is playing, open AdBlock Plus, and search for:

link.theplatform

For example I get:

http://link.theplatform.com/s/fox.com/qxefSnL5NvTd?mbr=true&policy=63641552&assetType=SSL&player=foxcomcom-1.8.3&manifest=f4m&format=SMIL&Tracking=true&Embedded=true&formats=MPEG4,FLV

Modify where is says manifest=f4m Just change that to manifest=m3u

Take that newly created text string with the manifest=m3u changed and paste it into Firefox browser, hit enter, and it will ask you to download a file with the name of, in my case above qxefSnL5NvTd

Open this downloaded file in a text editor.

Find the video=src url, copy it and paste it into the Livestreamer code to capture in Terminal, cmd prompt, whatever you are using.

livestreamer "hlsvariant://https://fbchdvod-f.akamaihd.net/i/Fox.com/923/539/Star_1AZD01_8316001959,09_mp4_video_1280x720_2500000_primary_audio_8,08_mp4_video_1280x720_1800000_primary_audio_7,07_mp4_video_1024x576_1300000_primary_audio_6,06_mp4_video_640x360_800000_primary_audio_5,05_mp4_video_480x270_500000_primary_audio_4,04_mp4_video_480x270_300000_primary_audio_3,13_mp4_video_400x0_225000_primary_audio_2,12_mp4_video_400x0_150000_primary_audio_1,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8?__b__=300&b=100-&hdnea=st=1481919105~exp=1481921535~acl=/i/Fox.com/923/539/Star_1AZD01_8316001959*~id=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" best -o star1.mp4

I obviously removed some text at the end, plus it wouldn't work for anyone else anyway. But you get the idea. The above gave me the episode in 720p resolution. File size 930mb.

[jimdagys]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I'm not interested in the video, but I like to follow the methods to see if I can download the video. Most answers given here for downloading cannot be followed by the average person. I was able to follow your directions. I wanted to ask some questions.

Modify where it says manifest=f4m Just change that to manifest=m3u

1) How did you know to do this?
2) On the below page, someone had a video they wanted to download. I tried but gave up. Can you take a look?
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/311893-How-to-download-flash-video-RTMP-RTMPE-strea...ftware/page139
url of stream video:
https://videos.sproutvideo.com/embed/e89bd0b81b1fe3ca60/851a807530288779?signature=3Rv...813143&type=hd

I am going to post some further explanation for the above video you just downloaded.
That
qxefSnL5NvTd
file that you downloaded also contains the subtitle file (see red circle). In the below screenshot you can see the https file and the srt file. Note that all this information is near the top of the long text file. The file in blue is the file that gets put into livestreamer template:
livestreamer "hlsvariant://put long https in blue here" best -o star1.mp4

Also, when you start to download the file with livestreamer, you can see various resolutions given.
See red circle in screenshot 2
I substituted
360p
for
best
to get a smaller file size (see near end of following code).

livestreamer "hlsvariant://https://fbchdvod-f.akamaihd.net/i/Fox.com/923/539/Star_1AZD01_8316001959,09_mp4_video_1280x720_2500000_primary_audio_8,08_mp4_video_1280x720_1800000_primary_audio_7,07_mp4_video_1024x576_1300000_primary_audio_6,06_mp4_video_640x360_800000_primary_audio_5,05_mp4_video_480x270_500000_primary_audio_4,04_mp4_video_480x270_300000_primary_audio_3,13_mp4_video_400x0_225000_primary_audio_2,12_mp4_video_400x0_150000_primary_audio_1,.mp4.csmil/master.m3u8?__b__=300&b=100-&hdnea=st=1481938495~exp=1481940925~acl=/i/Fox.com/923/539/Star_1AZD01_8316001959*~id=8b46db1c-049e-4455-b0d5-88b8e54fa2e9~hmac=421bca4054b0fabb23524f70c78426ae2adc38bca8e9e43162215fa5d58d42e1" 360p -o star1.mp4

Of course the above code may change, so one has to start at the beginning of your directions ( play video with Adblock Plus...)